Electric controlling device



R. CQNRADER. l ELECTRIC CONTROLLING DEVICE.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 7| I9I6.

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ELECTRIC CONTHOLLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1916.

Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

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RUDOLPH CONRADER, 0F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

ELECTRIC CONTROLLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

Application filed September 7, 1916. Serial No. 118,852.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, RUDOLPH CONRADER, a citizen of the United States, residinor at Erie, in the county of Erie and State ofPennsyl- Vania, have invented new and useful .Tmprovements in Electric Controlling Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an electric controlling device and consists in certain improvements in the construction thereof as will be hereinafter fully described and pointed out in the claims.

The purpose of the invention is to control a rheostat and this is accomp-lished in the present invention by using apressure actuated motor which controls the rheostat. This makes a vsimple and effective method of control for many purposes and as compared with most devices of this lcharacter is compara-tively cheap.

vThe invention is, illustrated in the accompanying drawings as follows Figure 1 showsan elevation of the device, some of the parts being in section to better show construction.

Fig. 2 a section on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 a plan view of a fragment of the pressure actuated motor plunger and. attached devices.

Fig. 4 a section on the line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 a central section of the stepped resisting device for the pressure actuated motor.

1 marks the rheostat mounting, 2 the contacts of the rheostat, 3 the Contact arm and 4 a pin on which the contact arm is mounted. These are of the ordinary construction and have the usual wires, the contacts 2 throwing in varying resistance in the manner common to rheostats. A gear pinion 6 is journaled on the pin 4. A socket 7 is arranged in the face of the pinion and is adapted to receive a ylocllzing pin 8. The locking pin 8 is arranged in a socket 9 in the arm 3 and is pressed forward by a spring 10. A stem 11 extends from the pin 8 by means of which the pin 8 may be withdrawn. By withdrawing the pin 8, the arm 3 may be moved across the rheostat, thus starting the machine without a movement of the pinion. When the pinion 6 has been moved by mechanism hereinafter described, bringing the socket 7 under the pin 8, the pin 8 springs into place locking the arm and pinion together so that they are moved together.

A rack l2 meshes the pinion 6. This rack is formed as an extension of the plunger 13 I plunger especially if this leakage is of a material that it is desirable to dispose of.

An arm 19 extends upwardly from the cyllnder 14 and a roller 20 is arranged on the upper end of the arm. The roller engages the rear of the rack 12 as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3 and holds the rack 1n engagement with theV pinion 6. The back of the rack 12 is provided with a series of detents 21 and a yielding pawl 22 is adapted to loperate in these detents. The pawl eX- tends back into a socket in the arm 19, shown 1n dotted lines, and is forced forward by a spring 23. The force of the spring may be adjusted by a screw 24.

A stem 25 is screwed into the coupling 17 and extends downwardly through a gland 25a through a series of weights 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, each succeeding weight increasing in its dimension over the weight below it. A nut 35 is arranged on the bottom of the stem 25 and this engages the lower weight 26. A case 33 is arranged outside the weights and a series of yseats 32 are arranged on the inner face of the case 33, these seats being adapted to receive the weights and to hold said weights when seated in spaced relation. Cushions 34 are provided to take the shock as the weights are deposited one by one as the pressure under the motor is released. The case 33 is supported by any ,convenient standard as 33a. As the pressure builds up under the plunger 13 a movement of the plunger is resisted by the weight 26. When the pressure reaches a point that it will overcome the weight 26` the plunger moves up carrying with it the weight 26 until the weight 26 contacts the weight 27. Here there is an additional resistance which retards the movement of the plunger until the pressure has reached a point that will overcome the combined weights 26 and 27` Thus the movement of the plunger is resisted as each weight is encountered until the pressure builds up sufficient to take on the added weight. This forms a stepped resistance to the movement of the plunger. The movement of each weight is such as to carry the arm 3 when locked with the pinion 6 from one contact 2 to another and each halting point is opposite one of these contacts. I prefer to use the weights because when the plunger starts the resistance is not increased until the next weight is reached. Other means of accomplishing this stepped resistance may, however, be utilized.

In order to make the positioning of the arm 3 over each contact more pronounced I have provided the yielding pawl 22. The detents 21 are so spaced and arranged as to assist in halting the plunger so as to bring the arm in position over the contacts 2.

The rheostat is- I)rdinarily used for controning an electric motor and this motor is utilized for operating a pump. The fluid from the pump is delivered to a pipe 36. In one phase of my invention it is this pressure which it is desired to control.

The pipe 36 is connected to a passage 37 by a union 38. A port 39 extends from the passage 37 through the walls of a cylinder 40. A plunger valve 41 is arranged in the cylinder 40 and has a valve passage or way 42. A port 43 extends through the cylinder into a passage 44. The way 42 is of suiiioient length to conne-et the ports 39 and 43 when the valve is in the upper position as shown in F ig. 1. A valve 45 is secured-to the fitting containing the passage 44. This valve is provided with a diaphragm 46 with an ordinary valve passage through it. A check valve 47 operates on'the passage. The valve has the radial openings 48 and these form a passage leading to the'interior of the check. A disk 49 with a minute opening 50 is arranged in the bottom of the check and is secured in place by a screw 51 having an opening registering with the opening 50. It will be observed that fiuid passing from the port 43 through the valve 45 is retarded by the minute opening 50 whereas if the pressure is on the underside of the check there is an immediate release. The valve 45 is connected by a pipe 52 with a passage 53 leading to the cylinder 14. In the operation of the device, as before stated, it is common to pull out the pin 8 and move the arm 3 so as to put the motor in operation and as the pressure builds up it is communicated through the pipe 36 by way of the valve 41 through the retarding device to the cylinder 14 and thus gradually forces the plunger upwardly. When the plunger has' reached its upper position it has carried the pinion 6 so as to let the pinf8 drop into place so that the arm 3 and pinion 6 are then locked together. The device then operates until the pressure begins to drop. By retarding the flow to the cylinder violent action of the plunger is avoided. In order to increase this eHect it is Vdesirable to have a reservoir for fluid connected with the system at the discharge side of the minute opening 50 and a pipe 45:l is provided for this purpose, this giving suiiicient capacity to 70 take considerable time for the pressure to be communicated to the plunger providing the pressure is abruptly turned into the pipe 36.

In order to operate the device to shut down the motor through the action of the rheostat when the desired pressure rises to the point desired I have provided a counterpressure device for controlling the valve 41. A passage 54 extends upwardly in the walls of the cylinder 40 and leads to a chamber 55. A diaphragm 56 is arranged over the top of thiscchamber. A passage 57 ycommunicates with the chamber 55 and a valve 58 closes the passage 57, the valve seating on a seat 59 at the upper end of the passage 57. A guide piece 60 extends downwardly from the valve 58 into the passage 57, thus guiding the valve. This guide piece has the grooves 60a so as to permit the passage of fluid past it. A spring 61 tends to open the valve. A button 62 is arranged above the. diaphragm and a cap 63 is also arranged above Vthe diaphragm, the cap being designed to secure the edges of the diaphragm. A plunger 64 operates on the button 62. A 95 spring 65 operates against the plunger. 64 and is adjusted by a screw follower 66.

When the pressure in the pipe 36 rises to the point desired, this pressure communicated to the chamber 55 and onto the dia- 100 phragm 56 creates sufficient upward pressure to overcome the spring 65, thus permitting the spring 61 to open the valve 58. Fluid is therefore turned into the passage 57 and carried to the cylinder 40 above the 10b valve 41. This forces the valve 41 downwardly, bringing the way 42 into register over a port 67 thus connecting the passage 43 ywith the port 67. At the same time, the port 39 is cut off and the po'rt 67 leads to 110 an exhaust 68. When, therefore, the valve is forceddownwardly as just described, the fluid under the plunger 13 is immediately released, lifting the check valve 47 from its seat and passing by way of the port 43 and 115 way 42 and port 67 to the exhaust. As soon as the pressure is removed from under the plunger 13, the weights immediately draw the plunger downwardly to its lower position and this carrying with it the rack 120 turns the pinion 6 and as the arm 3 is locked with the pinion it is immediately withdrawn over the contacts 2 shutting off the motor. When the pressure in the pipe 36 has diminished to a point where the spring 65 125 will overcome the pressure in the chamber 55 the counterpressure device acting on the diaphragm closes the valve 58. A minute opening 70 is provided in the upper end of the cylinder 40 allowing the fluid above the 130 0 E for operating this may valve 41 tov waste. The valve 41 is then forced upwardly by a spring 69 which extends from the bottom of the cylinder up into the valve, .As soon as the valve reaches 1ts upper positlon, fluid is again turned by way of the port 39, way 42 and way 43 to the passages leading to the cylinder 14. As the pressure builds up in the cylinder, the plunger 13 is forced upwardly carrying with it the arm 3 with stepped movements over the contacts 2 as heretofore described.

It is deslrable to provide means whereby if the line with which the rheostat is connected and which lsupplies current for the motor is broken, the current is positively cut off by the rheostat so that if the current is again turned on the current will be turned into the motor by way of the rheostat. To accomplish this purpose, I have provided the following mechanism: A pipe 71 leads from the upper end of the cvlinder 40 and is connected by a pipe 72 with a valve 73. The valve is provided with a valve passage 75 which is controlled by a needle valve 7 6. A stem 77 extends from the needle valve out of the valve body and is secured to a cross head 78. Pins 79 are connected with the ends of the cross head and springs 80 are arranged Iaround the pins 79 and exert pressure on the cross head tending to open the valve 73. An armature 81 is secured to the upper ends of the pins 79 and is acted upon by a coil 82 with which the wires 84 and 85 of the main circuit are connected. So long as current is on this line the valve 73 is maintained in its closed position, the magnet overcoming the springs and closing the valve but when the line is broken, the magnet immediately releases the springs and the valve is opened, thus carrying fluid from the pipe 36 by way of the pipes 74 and 72 to the upper end of the cylinder 40. This pressure forcing downwardly the valve 41 and releasing the pressure under the plunger immediately swings the arm 3 to its initial position.

It may be desired to utilize this electri-- cal control which is brought about by a change of the current and this is done, as for instance, where the pump is delivering to a tank and it is desired to control the level. This may be done as follows: The wire 85 leads to a contact post 88 and this is connected by a wire 88a with a post 90. A post 89 is connected with the post 83 and the post 83 is connected by a wire .87 running tothe coil 82. By connectlng the posts 88 and 89 the circuit through the coil is completed, or' breaking this connection the circuit is broken. Any well known device be utilized controlled by a ioat. As showna switch lever 91 is pivoted on a pin 93. Its movement is limited by the sto s 92. When against one of the stops this ever 91 will form aconment between the weighted lever and the r lever 97. Pins96 are arranged at the bottom of thelever 94 at each side of the switch lever 91 and also give some lay between the lever 94 and the lever 91. line 98 extends through the pulleys 99 to a float 100, the float being arranged in a tank 101. It will be readily observed that when the float reaches a pre-determined level it will com-- municate movement to the lever 97 sufliciently to swing the weighted lever 94 over the center. The weighted lever will then open the'switch allowing the opening of the valve 73 and`downward movement of the valve 41, thus throwing off the pump by re` 13. When the level in leasing the plunger a height sufficiently to the tank 101 reaches swing the lever 97 so as to again carry the lever 94 over the center, the valve 73 will thenbe closed and the valve 41 will move upwardly admitting -pressure under the plunger 13 and thus operating the rheostat to start the pump.

It will be noted that the weights 26 to 31 are cup-shaped. The purpose of this is to permit the introduction of shot or other material to vary the mass of the weights. It is desirable to make the variation between the weights or the steps greater in some portions of the travel of the rheostat than others and this varies with diiierent installations. This may be desirable to make the load properlyv follow the operation of the motor as controlled by the different con tacts of the rheostat. Consequently the means provided affords a convenient manner of varying these weights either as a whole or different ones of the weights. In this connection the adjusting screw 24 is provided by means of which the resistance inaident to the pawl 22 may be varied.

What I claim as new is 1. In an electric controlling device, the combination ofl a rheostat; a pressure actuatedmotor for actuating the rheostat; a valve controlling the motor; a, connection between the valve and the motor; and means in the connection retarding the flow from the valve to the motor and permitting a free flow from the motor.

2. In an electric controlling device, the combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actua-ting the rheostat; a motor valve controlling the motor; a pressure device sensitive to pressure controllingV the rheostat controlling v combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rheostat; a motor valve controlling the motor; a pressure device sensitive to pressure acting on -the valve; and an electrically controlled de vice in circuit with the rheostat acting on the motor valve to actuate said valve With a change of current in the circuit.

4f. In an electric controlling device, the combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating` the rheostat; a motor valve controllinor the motor; and an electrically controlled device in circuit With the rheostat controlling the valve, the motor through the action of the valve actuating the rheostat to open the circuit through the rheostat when the circuitI is otherwise opened and to close the circuit through the rheostat when the first-mentioned opening of the circuit is closed. 4

5. In an electric controlling device, the combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rheostat; a motor valve controlling the motor; a controlling valve controlling the motor valve; springs tending to close the controlling valve to actuate the motor valve to throw olf the current through the rheostat; and an electric device normally closing said controlling valve.

6. In an electric controlling device, the

combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rheostat; a

motor valve controlling the motor; a controlling valve controlling the motor valve; springs tending to close the controlling valve to actuate the motor valve to throw o' the current through the rheostat; and an electric device in circuit With the rheostat normally closing said controlling valve.

7. In an electric controlling device, the combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rheostat; a pressure actuated motor valve controlling the motor; a pressure device sensitive to pressure controlling the movement of fluid 'valve to supply pressure to the motor valve to actuate the same to open the rheostat;

and an electric device normally closing the controlling valve.

8. In an electric controlling device, the combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rheostat; motor valve controlling the motor; a controlling valve controlling the motor valve; a pressure device actuating the controlling valve, said pressure device comprising an element subJected to pressure and tending to open said valve under pressure; and a spring opposing the pressure on said element.

9. In an electric controlling device, the combination of a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rheostat; a pressure actuated valve controlling the motor; a cylinder in which said valve is mount.-

ed; a controlling valve for the motor valve controlling the movement ot fluid to the cylinder for actuating the motor valve; an element subjected to pressure controlling the opening of said controlling valve; a lspring tending to close said controlling valve; and a minute discharge from the cyl:- inder permitting the exhaust from the cylinderswhen said controlling valve is closed.

10. In an electric controlling device, the combinationof a rheostat; a pressure actuated motor for actuating the rlieostat; automatic mechanism controlling the pressure on the motor; and means d etachably connecting the motor with the rheostat permitting a movement of the rheostat independently of the motor and automatically connecting the rheostat with the motor after an independent movement of the rheostat.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH CONRADER. 

